Panel construction



g- 1929. J. s. WILLIAMSON- 1, ,333

PANEL CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 1, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Aug. 13, 1929. J. s. WILLIAMSON PANEL CONSTRUCTIOfi Filed Oct. 1, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 &\\\\\\\\\\\\\\Z nyz gzvrok. John 5. Mllzamson,

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- Witness.

A TTORNEYS Patented Aug. 13, 1929.

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JGHN S. XVILLIA'MSON, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

PANEL CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed October 1, 1928.

This invention relates to panel construction.

The main objects of this invention. are to provide an improved panel construction which can be out and be made up into certain standard sizes and kept in stock at the factory and which may be quickly and readily put up by the carpenter on the job using only the simple tools ordinarily used by a skilled workman; and to provide a panel. construction which will permitthe use of corner blocks which will be flush with the surface of the mullions and in which the corner block fastening means are concealed from view.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: I

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation of four contiguous panels with their respec tive mullions and corner blocks.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a corner block, a fragmentary end of a mullion in spaced relation thereto, and a pair of dowel pins for the same.

Fig. At is a full size f agmentary sectional view of a joint between a corner block and mullion, taken on the line 1& of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a jig used to put dowel pin holes in the ends of the mullions, and showing the fragmentary end of a mullion partially inserted in the jig.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a modified construction showing four con-. tiguous panels with their respective mullions and corner blocks. 1

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the lin 77 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a view in perspective of a corner block and the fragmentary end of a mullio shown in spaced relation thereto.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a jig used to punch the dowel pin holes in the ends of the modified form of mullions and showing the fragmentary end of a mullion partially inserted in the jig.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view in elevation of four contiguous ends of mullions abutting a corner block.

Serial Ito. 309.558.

' Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on the line 1313 of Fig. 12.

In the constructions shown in the draw ings, panels 1, 2, 3, and dare shown placed against a wall 5 with their edges abutting against furring strips 6, 7 and 8, said furring strips being preferably of substantially the same thickness as the panels so that the outer surface of the panels and furring strips are flush. with each other.

After the panels have been placed in position, a corner block 9 which has outwardly sloping edges 10 is secured to the furring strips by screws 11 which pass through countersunk holes 12 in the sloping edges 10.

The size of the base of the corner block 9' is such that it extends past the furring strips 6, 7 and 8 and the corners of the block overlap the corners of the panels 1, 2, and i.

Muilions 13 which have sloping end edges 14: are provided for overlapping adjacent marginal edges of contiguous panels and said mullions are secured to and supported by the corner blocks 9 by means of metal dowel pins 15 which fit in registering holes 16 and 17 of the block and mullion respectively. The sloping end 14 of the mullion 13 is cut at a complementary angle to the sloping edge 10 of the corner block 9 so that the mullion and block fit tightly together as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 1 of the drawings with their outer surfaces flush with each other.

A special jig 18 which has suitably positioned pins 19 is provided for punching the dowel pin holes in the ends of the mullions 18, the jig being adapted to he slipped on the end of the niullion and struck by a hammer. In this manner the workman on the job may cut the ends of the mullions with a suitable mitre saw and punch the dowel pin holes in proper position.

By the use of the foregoing construction, panel work may be erected so that the finished surface of the mullions and corner blocks are flush with each other and the corner block securing means; that is, screws 11, are entirely hidden from view when the job is completed.

The erection of such a job is in progressive manner; that is, a row of panels are first placed along the base board with the vertical furring strips therebetween. Vertical mullions are then secured at their lower ends by dowel pins to the base board and dowel pins placed in the upper ends thereof.

Corner blocks 9 are then engaged with the upper ends of the vertical mullions by placing the blocks in the same plane as the mullions and then sliding the block snugly against the mullion so that the dowel pins enter the holes 16 of the blocks. The other three sides of the corner block being exposed, permits the screws 11 to be passed through the holes 12, thus securing the corner block? to the furrin strips 6 and 7.

The foregoing type of panel construction' is particularly suitable for that type of architecture which requires a plain mullion devoid of ornamentation.

in the inodiiied form illustrated in Figs. 6 to 11, inclusive, panels 20, 21, 22 and 23 are secured to a wall 2% with furring strips 25, 26 and 2? separating the pancis in the same manner as before. Corner blocks 2-7 which have edges 29 formed at right angles to the top surface of the block are secured to the furring strips by a screw 30 which passes through the center of the block, said block having a double countersink therein for receiving the head of the screw and for receiving an ornamental button 31 which is glued therein to cover the screw 30.

The ed es 29 of the corner bloc rs are 31'0- vided with dowel pin holes for reeeivi metal dowel pins 33, the opposite ends of which extend into dowel. pin holes 31 formed in the ends of mullions 85. A 36 which has a pair of pins 37 therein is provided for punching the dowel pin holes 34 in the ends of the mullions 35.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 12 and 13 mullions 38 abut against a corner block 89 and are secured thereto by metal dowel pins 40.

The corner block 89 is of less thickness than the mullions 38 and secured to a furring strip 41 by a screw 42 which has its head countersunk in the center of the corner block Means are provided for covering and concealing the screw head and for bringing the surfaces of the various parts flush in the same plane and comprising a relatively thin panel block 43 which is of the same dimensions as the corner block 39. The plate 43 is glued in place after the balance of the structure has been assembled, tl e combined thickness of the plate i3 and corner block 39 being equal to the thickness of the mullions 88 so that the top surface of the finished structure is in the same plane and presents a plain and unornamental appearance when completed.

In constructing panel work using this modified form, the method is substantially the same as that described in connection with the preferred embodim nt except that the corner blocks 28 are secured to the furring strips and wall by a center screw and the ornamental button 31 is glued in place after the block has been secured to the wall.

1 Although but one specific embodiment of this invention and one modification thereof have been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the constructions shown may be altered or omitted without departing from' the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a panel construction, a plurality of panel members adapted to be placed against a wail corner blocks having outwardly sloping ed s for said panels, means extending through said sloping edges for securing said corner blocks to the wall, and DYdl'llOILS securedto and supported by said corner blocks for overlapping the adjacent marginal edges of contiguous panels, the ends of said inullions having sloping edges adapted to lit over the sloping edges of said corner.

biocks to cover said corner block securing means.

' 2. In a panel construction, a plurality of panels adapted. to be placed against a wall, corner blocks having straight edges for said panels, means for securing the corner blocks to the wall, mullions extending between the corner blocks and overlapping the adjacent marginal edges of contiguous panels, the ends of the mullions having straight edges abutting the straight edges of the said corner blocks, and fastening devices interlocking and supporting the abutting edges of the corner blocks and the niullions'at laterally spaced points adapted to maintain the parts in flush relation.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Grand Rapids, Michigan this 27th day of September, 1928.

JOHN S. XVILLIAMSON 

